Best Picture Books for a New Puppy (2026): Stories and Photos

Families adding a puppy often want a picture book for the new arrival, and the best picture books for a new puppy in this list cover that moment. This list compares picture books by reading age, pages, and puppy theme.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	It's OK To Be A Puppy by Murdoch	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Snuggle Puppy! by Boynton	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Babies and Doggies Book by Schindel	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	My Book of Dogs and Puppies by DK	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Dogist Puppies by Friedman	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

It's OK To Be A Puppy by Murdoch

Tom Murdoch·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rhyming bedtime story about a puppy, for toddlers and children.

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Pros

• Rhyming prose from the puppy point of view
• Colorful illustrations accompany the verse
• Hardcover, kid size 8 by 8

Cons

• 32 pages, less than the longer books here
• Reassurance theme, not a puppy facts book
• No puppy care information is stated

2

Snuggle Puppy! by Boynton

Sandra Boynton·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 24 page rhyming board book love song with a die-cut cover, suited to toddlers who like read-aloud rhythm.

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Pros

• 24 pages with a die-cut cover stated.
• The listing gives a reading age of Baby to 3 years, marked as from customers, and grade level Preschool to Kindergarten.
• Chunky board book format suited to toddler hands.

Cons

• The love song theme is not Valentine-specific.
• No flap or pop-up elements are stated.
• At 24 pages it is shorter than the 32 page Elmo pick.

3

The Babies and Doggies Book by Schindel

John Schindel·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A board book of full color photographs showing babies and doggies doing the same things.

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Pros

• Full color photographs of dog breeds and babies
• Board book format, suited to infants
• Shows sitting, splashing, and cuddling

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• 26 pages, fewer than other full data books
• Babies and doggies together, not a puppy alone

4

My Book of Dogs and Puppies by DK

DK·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A fact filled guide to dogs and puppies, with breed profiles and pet care.

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Pros

• Fact files on over 50 breeds
• Pet care, including feeding and grooming
• 96 pages, longer than the story books

Cons

• Description says 5 to 7, listing gives 5 to 9 years
• Fact guide format, not a picture story
• Arranged by dog groups, not a single story

5

The Dogist Puppies by Friedman

Elias Weiss Friedman·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A photograph book of puppies from birth to age one, with many breeds.

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Pros

• 304 pages of puppy photographs
• Many breeds, including Frenchies and Huskies
• Puppies at play, with mom, and with children

Cons

• No reading age or grade stated
• Photograph book, not a young child story
• No puppy care information is stated

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More picks to compare

• The Little Puppy by DunnFull-color photos, 32 pages, reading age 3 to 7 years, grade Preschool to 2Check on Amazon
• Puppy Picture BookAdorable puppy pictures, over 100 amazing puppy photos in a puppy photo bookCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books for a new puppy

Match the reading age to the reader

The Babies and Doggies Book lists 1 – 2 years, marked as from customers, while My Book of Dogs and Puppies lists 5 – 9 years and grade Kindergarten – 4. Check the listed age against the child, and see the bedtime picture books list.

Choose photographs, a story, or a fact guide

The Dogist Puppies is a photograph book, It’s OK To Be A Puppy is a rhyming story, and My Book of Dogs and Puppies is a fact guide. A family wanting a story will suit the story book, and see the family picture books list.

Before you buy

• Check the edition or ISBN on the listing.
• Check the listed age against the reader, and note if it is marked as from customers.
• Check whether the book is a story, a photograph book, or a fact guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is The Babies and Doggies Book for?

The listing gives a reading age of 1 – 2 years, marked as from customers.

Does My Book of Dogs and Puppies cover many breeds?

The description says over 50 breeds, with fact files for each featured breed.

Is The Dogist Puppies a story book?

No, the listing describes it as a photograph book of puppies, with no reading age stated.

Still deciding? Our top pickIt's OK To Be A Puppy by Murdoch

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Related lists

See every Picture Books list and all Kids and Teens lists.

More lists: Best Picture Books for New Parents, Best Zoo Picture Books, Best Picture Books About Farms.